1. The mode of uptake of the precursors of milk fat by the mammary gland of the lactating goat has been examined by infusing radioactive fatty acids, glucerol or doubly labelled triglycerides into the mammary artery or jugular vein of animals surgically prepared to permit samples of arterial and venous blood to be withdrawn without disturbance to the animal. 2. Acetate was taken up by the mammary gland and incorporated into milk fat. The decrease in the specific radioactivity of blood acetate across the gland was evidence of acetate production, but there was no significant release of labelled lipid from the mammary gland. 3. When labelled long-chain fatty acids or glycerol were infused into the lactating goat, there was extensive transfer of radioactivity into milk in spite of the absence of net uptake of substrate by the mammary gland. The decrease in the specific radioactivity of each substrate across the mammary gland, however, showed that both fatty acids and glycerol were simultaneously taken up and released by mammary tissue. 4. The infusion of chylomicra and triglyceride emulsions labelled with3H and14C revealed that both glycerol and fatty acids were released during triglyceride uptake by mammary tissue. Changes in the3H/14C ratio during the transfer of triglyceride from blood into milk showed that at least 80% of the triglyceride was hydrolysed during uptake, but the potential re-utilization of both products of hydrolysis for triglyceride synthesis in mammary tissue implied that only a minimum value could be obtained from the change in the ratio. 5. The time-course of the transfer of3H and14C into milk and lymph were closely similar after the infusion of [2-3H]glycerol tri[1-14C]oleate or of a mixture of [2-3H]glycerol and [1-14C]oleate. 6. The results were consistent with the hypothesis that plasma triglycerides are extensively or completely hydrolysed during mammary uptake.
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February 1972
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Research Article|
February 01 1972
Studies on the mode of uptake of blood triglycerides by the mammary gland of the lactating goat. The uptake and incorporation into milk fat and mammary lymph of labelled glycerol, fatty acids and triglycerides
C. E. West;
C. E. West
1Unilever Research Laboratory Colworth/Welwyn, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedford, U.K.
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R. Bickerstaffe;
R. Bickerstaffe
1Unilever Research Laboratory Colworth/Welwyn, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedford, U.K.
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E. F. Annison;
E. F. Annison
1Unilever Research Laboratory Colworth/Welwyn, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedford, U.K.
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J. L. Linzell
J. L. Linzell
2Agricultural Research Council Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT, U.K.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
© 1972 London: The Biochemical Society
1972
Biochem J (1972) 126 (3): 477–490.
Citation
C. E. West, R. Bickerstaffe, E. F. Annison, J. L. Linzell; Studies on the mode of uptake of blood triglycerides by the mammary gland of the lactating goat. The uptake and incorporation into milk fat and mammary lymph of labelled glycerol, fatty acids and triglycerides. Biochem J 1 February 1972; 126 (3): 477–490. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj1260477
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